RockShop Fine Gems & Jewelry

Nov 12

In their own words

“When you come into our store, it’s a global experience. We have large mineral specimens, and then you go through stages of rocks and gems. You see silver jewelry and moonstone pieces, and then you’re into the fine jewelry—the rare sapphires and diamonds. Our owner, Carlos Lopez, wanted to incorporate his experience with travel into the store. To take it to another level, there’s a music theme because music is connecting like jewelry. It creates this relaxed vibe, which is how Carlos is.”

-Berkley La Porte

Jason’s Interview with Berkley

Jason

We're back on Meet the Jewelers and today we're talking to Berkley La Porte from RockShop Fine Gems & Jewelry in St. Pete, Florida. How did you get into the industry?

Berkley

I come from a nonprofit background. I got involved with the store working with nonprofits out of college. RockShop Jewelry is really involved in our community. I was an International Studies major in college and jewelry is so connective internationally. It was a perfect fit for me.

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Jason
Tell us about some of the great stuff that you do.

Berkley
We make and design our pieces here in our shop. Because of that, we are involved in the Downtown Arts Alliance. One major way we like to give back is we have a Second Saturday Art Walk, where we feature a local artist. Last month, we had a local glassblower. Every quarter, we pick a charity to give back to. We’re major supporters for Pet Dispatch local, the ASPCA here.

Jason
Tell us about the owners. What's their background?

Berkley
Our store owner, Carlos Lopez, was big in the jewelry industry. He worked in the Diamond District, so he had that kind of fine jewelry background. He was trained in Italy and worked five-plus years in Thailand, and he spent a lot of time out in Colorado and out West. When you come into our store, it's a global experience. We have large mineral specimens, kind of like stages of minerals, rocks, and gems as you walk through the store. He wanted to incorporate his entire experience with travel. There's an undertone of a music theme in our store because we like the play on words: rock shop, rock and roll. It creates this relaxed vibe, which is completely how he is. You'll come into the store and see him in a t-shirt and jeans. It sets the tone of who he is.

Jason
You've probably seen a lot when it comes to proposals. Tell us a fun one.

Berkley
Two weeks after the store opened, we actually had a guy drop down on his knees here in the store. It's that personal connection we get to make with people. We specialize in exotic stones, as well as diamonds. But there's been a big surge in people wanting sapphires, moonstone, or opals for their center stone. We just had a couple, he is from Australia. She had an heirloom diamond for her engagement ring, so he sourced some Australian Opal for her center stone. And then we used her two diamonds on the side. You could see how two souls were connected in that one ring. That's what we love to do.

Jason
I know you carry a lot of different lines. Are there any pieces that you want us to know about?

Berkley
Definitely our RockShop original pieces. We do feature some local regional artists in our silver collection. We also specialize in turquoise. We acquired a lot in 2012 before the mines closed. And then we do specialize in non-heat-treated stones and sapphires. We highlight all the natural beauty. Being right next to the water, we have such a coastal vibe in our store.

Jason
Here's your chance to say whatever you like. What should we know?

Berkley
Ask questions behind your pieces, what you're buying, where it's coming from. If you're here in St. Petersburg, don't miss Second Saturday Art Walks—see how jewelry blends and meets with the art scene.